******************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI) in Sheung Shui this afternoon (June 20), where she toured various facilities to learn more about the custodial and rehabilitative services provided by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) for persons in custody.
Mrs Lam was first given a briefing by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin, on the daily operations of the department and the institution, as well as on the future development of correctional services in Hong Kong. Accompanied by Mr Sin, Mrs Lam then toured various rehabilitative facilities tailored for female persons in custody, including the parent-child centre which provides space for persons in custody to spend time with their young children, the psychological counselling centre called the "Psy Gym", the retail salesperson training room and the filter mask workshop - the only one among all correctional facilities in Hong Kong. She also received an introduction from frontline officers on the features and operation of the facilities.
During the visit, Mrs Lam learnt that the CSD was presented with a Certificate of Merit under the 2011 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence Sectoral Awards for the LWCI redevelopment project, which was undertaken in collaboration with the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD). The institution has applied extensive environmentally friendly architectural designs and facilities, including the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels in multiple buildings for electricity generation, the adoption of an air-side system and vent shaft design in dormitories to enhance ventilation, and the setting up of "green roofs" to lower the room temperature in cell blocks. The CSD and ArchSD applied the concept of sustainability in the project with the aim of providing an environmentally friendly and humane living environment for persons in custody and staff members.
Mrs Lam also chatted with frontline staff of the department to learn more about the "Waste No Food" Scheme launched by the institution in April last year. The Scheme encourages persons in custody to adjust their intake and reduce leftovers on a voluntary basis. Food waste decomposing facilities have been installed in the institution whereby food waste is collected and converted into organic fertiliser for the greening of the institution. In view of the effectiveness of the Scheme, it has been extended to cover four institutions. Mrs Lam commended the department's active support for the Government's food waste reduction policy.
Mrs Lam also praised the CSD officers' high degree of integrity and professionalism in the delivery of correctional services. She encouraged all staff members to continue to strive for excellence in providing quality correctional services, assisting persons in custody on their road to rehabilitation and safeguarding social stability.
Having commenced operation after redevelopment in July 2010, LWCI is currently the largest female correctional institution in Hong Kong with a capacity of 1 400 penal places for female adult persons in custody.
Ends/Friday, June 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:36
NNNN
